CONFIDENTIAL6G Enters Final Phase with Key Advances in Edge-AI Security and Confidential Computing

CONFIDENTIAL6G Enters Final Phase with Key Advances in Edge-AI Security and Confidential Computing

The CONFIDENTIAL6G project, funded under the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) through the Horizon Europe programme (Grant Agreement No 101096435), is ramping up its work in 2025 to develop and validate cutting-edge cryptographic, computing and networking enablers for confidentiality in future 6G systems.

Project Focus

CONFIDENTIAL6G addresses three core technology domains:

• Cryptography – developing quantum-resistant and advanced cryptographic tools including fully homomorphic encryption (FHE), secure multi-party computation (SMPC) and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP).
• Confidential Computing – enabling secure execution of collaborative AI/ML across cloud, edge and IoT environments using trusted execution environments (TEE) and secure container technologies.
• Confidential Networking – designing post‐quantum secure network protocols, blockchain/DLT for privacy-preserving access control and federated AI orchestration across heterogeneous 6G domains.

2025 Highlights and Activities

For the year 2025, CONFIDENTIAL6G is executing a host of significant work packages and community-engagement actions:

• The project features in the SNS Journal 2025, showcasing its role in building Europe’s secure connectivity infrastructure.
• Preparation and submission of deliverables covering the final project phase, including dissemination, ecosystem building, standardisation support and IPR management.
• Leadership and participation in industry-forum events and workshops: e.g., a dedicated workshop on 6G trustworthiness within EuCNC & 6G Summit 2025 emphasising security, resilience and privacy in next-generation networks.

White Paper: Next Generation Edge — Architectures for AI and Machine Learning

In summer 2025, the project contributed to the publication of the white paper “Next Generation Edge: Edge Computing Architectures for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Use Cases”, issued by the OpenInfra Edge Computing Working Group.

This document serves as a practical guide for organizations and innovators at the intersection of edge computing and AI/ML. It provides architectural insights into how distributed AI workloads can be securely and efficiently deployed at the edge — addressing latency, data sovereignty, and security challenges that cannot be solved by centralized cloud models alone.

The white paper covers:

• Architectural frameworks for distributed AI deployment at the edge
• Security, latency, and data governance challenges in real-world environments
• The role of open-source collaboration in scaling sustainable edge solutions
• Deployment examples and lessons learned from early adopters in multiple sectors

CONFIDENTIAL6G is proud to have supported this collaborative resource and continues to contribute expertise in confidential computing, federated AI, and cryptographic architectures for secure 6G systems.

📄 Read the white paper here: Next Generation Edge White Paper

Looking Ahead

In the remainder of 2025, CONFIDENTIAL6G will focus on:

• Finalising prototype implementations and pilot demonstrations of the use-cases involving aviation predictive maintenance, telecom-cloud threat mitigation, and mission-critical connected vehicles.
• Publishing open-source libraries, SDKs and toolchains for confidential computing and post-quantum networking to support industry uptake.
• Engaging with standardisation bodies and ecosystem stakeholders to translate research results into industrial-scale impact and sustainable business models.

About CONFIDENTIAL6G

CONFIDENTIAL6G develops cryptographic, computing, and networking enablers for confidentiality in future 6G systems. The project brings together a 15-partner European consortium and is funded under Horizon Europe via the SNS JU (Grant Agreement No 101096435). More information: https://confidential6g.eu/

Join the CONFIDENTIAl6G Journey

Stakeholders, policymakers, and the public are invited to engage with ELASTIC’s progress and contribute to shaping the future of 6G networks in Europe.

Follow CONFIDENTIAL6G Project on social media platforms:

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For further details and to get involved, please contact our Project Communications Manager: